Straight bar knitting machine



A. P. sAuNDERs STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE Jan. 1, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 1s,l 1949 Inventor fre/f? 550w/5 Ayexz,

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STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 13, 1949 6 SheellS--Sheelv 2 Inventor Jan 1, 1952 A. P. SAUNDERS 2,580,603

STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 13, 1949; i e sheets-sheet :s

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Jan. 1, 1952 A. P. sAUNDERs STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 13, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jam 1, 1952 A. P. sAUNDr-:Rs 2,580,603

STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1:5, 1949 e sheets-Sheeni 5 Innen lor Alfred/ Cia/m:

Jam 1, 1952 i A. P. sAuNDERs 2,580,603

STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 13, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 ,6/ it. `4l

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I .5: s l l 5 'Q J in' Inventor H/ref/ Riga/#eff Patented Jan. l, 1952 STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING`MACHINE Alfred Percy Saunders, Leicester, England, assignor to Wildt and Company Limited, Leicester, England, a British company Application August 13, 1949, Serial No. 110,060 In Great Britain September 1, 1948 This invention relates to straight bar knitting machines. and has reference particularly to the mechanism incorporated in such a machine for selecting and operating the. yarn carriers when producing shaped garments .or parts thereof, or articles such as fully fashioned stocking blanks.

In this connection the invention has ,reference particularly to yarn carrier driving` mechanism of 'the kind wherein the yarn carriers are traversible to variable extents, determined by stops, by reciprocable driving means having a constant stroke.

Heretofore, for driving the recprocatory yarn carriers, friction devices have usually been employed, these driving devices maintaining their friction to the ends of their operating strokes. As a consequence` a machine furnished with such devices is subjected to a frictional load at times when it is not required.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved, compact and efficient yarn carrier driving mechanism of the kind referred to' designed to enable the overall width of the machine to be reduced to a minimum, and to maintain the required variations in the extents of travel of the yarn carriers Without engendering unnecessary friction against the driving mechanism at the appropriate times.

A particular aim is the provision, in a-straight bar knitting machine, of a yarn carrier driving arrangement which is located remote from, and hence quite clear of, the knitting head of the machine, thereby enabling the spaceadjoining 14 claims. (c1. ets- 126) the head more easily to accommodate -and render accessible other mechanisms. r

In the improved yarn carrier driving mechanisrn constituting this invention, the yarn carriers are traversible through the medium of reciprocable operating members which, together `with the housing in which they reciprocate, are

selectively controllable, the construction `and arrangement being such that Wheneverl an operating member and its housing are selected Aand brought into the range of, and the operating member is acted upon by, the driving means, traverse oi the corresponding yarn carrier is effected until arrested by the appropriate stop at which time the said operating member is automatically disengaged lfrom the driving means thereby enabling the latter to reciprocate to the full extent of their constant stroke.

Thus, by reason of this construction and arrangement, whenever the driving means are free of the operating members, they are relieved of any frictional load.

Preferably, the operating members are mounted for movement in a path substantially at right angles to that in Which the yarn carriers are traversible.

In a convenient embodiment of the invention, the yarn carrier selecting and driving arrangement comprises, in combination, a plurality of slides fitted with yarn carriers and mounted for reciprocation to various extents along yarn carrier bars disposed parallel to the straight needle bed, further bars fulcrumed to the yarn carrier bars and disposed substantially at `right angles thereto, slides with attached operating members which are movable up and down the operating slide bars, the slides associated with the yarn carrier bars being connected with the slides associated with the operating slide bars by reciprocable flexible members housed Within the bars, and continuously reciprocable driving means having a constant stroke for` action on a selected operating member or members.

By a reciprocable. flexible connecting member is'meant onewhich is capable, when moved in a reciprocatory manner, of maintaining its form, and hence its eilicacy for the intended purpose, irrespective as to whether it is pulled or pushed.

In this embodiment, the operating slide bars constitute the aforementioned housings for the operating members and are movable, selectively, about their fulcrum points to bring the corresponding operating members into and out of the range of the driving means according to requirements. As will beunderstood when an operating slide bar is turned angularly towards or away from the driving means, it moves Without affecting the corresponding flexible connecting member.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understcod and readily carried into practical eiect, a specic constructional examplef'of the improved yarn carrier selecting and driving mechanism Will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure 1 is a plan View of the said mechanism,

Figure 2 is a general perspective View showing one of the yarn guides with its associated operating slide and the means for selectively operating the same,

Figure 3 is a detail front elevational view of one of the'yarn carrier slides, the corresponding operating member slide and the flexible member connecting the two,

Figure 4 is a detail transverse sectional view taken on the line IV--IV of Figure 2,

Figure is a further detail transverse sectional view taken on the line V-V of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary front view illustrating the fulcrum between one of the yarn carrier bars and the corresponding operating slide bar,

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional View of the continuousgly .reciprocable driving `means f shown in relation fte one i' of .the operating slide .driving members,

Figures 3-14 inclusive are diagrams illustrating successive stages in the actua-bionet.oneofmthe operating slide driving members bythe' continuously reciprocable driving means, u

Figure is an elevational viewoii therconnections through which the continuously reciprocable driving means are drivenfromtthemain cam shaft of the machine, and

Figure 16 is a fragmentary iront elevational view of the chain included in the continuously-reciprocable driving means showing the connection ,of1=this:.chain;.to the sluraca-m 7bracket as' will be V.hereinafter described ,Like :partsf are` A:designated Vby similar-.reference characters throughout the drawings.

{InFigure v1 the-side'. frames :ofz the .machine are indicated `at I and .2 Upon the .'upper: ends'zof xthesezframes are attached housings 3 and Afin 'IWhichLare'mGunted*horizontal yarn carrier bars f SLarranged'one behind the other. Seven of these l barsare shown although; .of course,V thisf number r.may.befvariedaccording to requirements. Each Lof'. the bars 5: carries. a plate 6 to 'which .na-yarn f carrier 1..'isr attached; andtthiszplate is: traversible ,backand forthzbetween fixed outside stopsaand 9. Fulcrumedtat the yarnfcarrierlbars 5' are-slide Ibars `.I I 'which `arefselectivelyf operable rfromtheimain control '.-drum I2 of the; machine, through the :medium `fofzcams .I 3 `on the saidfdrum,=ff.ulcrumed operat- Ling levers ldzandzBowdencables l5.

At 21 is represented aichainincludedzinxthe :continuouslyreciprocable drivingameans.

The-y yarn carrier` selectingy-and driving:A mechanism. .will nowgbe described 'in detail. Asfwillsbe seen, the i mechanism :includes a plurality of T-sec-tion slides I1 to thefgfronts -of-which-the Vyarn carrier vplates vi5 are-.secured ley-'means of e screws 18,. these slides being mounted for;Y reciprocationtoY various extents'within :the barsi. :.In this connection, each bar 5 Vhas.formed.therein.-:a longitudinal recess I 9 :to receive the-corresponding slide l1 andthe latter is-retainedrin position within the recessby 'vertically Lspacedffguide.v rails ...20 vriveted to the front int-the saidffbar. .Two fixed outsideY stops., i., e. rghtf'han'dastopz' 8 andra left-,hand-stop. are; screwed position uponthe front of each yarn carrier bar 5. Each ofuthe `substantially` verticali` 'slide bars I I isf.conne'cted rat.r its upperfend tothe. left-'hand end of. .the cor- :I0. :This screwk passes through aiclearance hoie :drilledin a bear-ing .pieceZI :Welded to the' slide bar II andzis screwed into a'tapped: hole 'inthe .bar-f5. vEach barVr II is vlongitudinally recessed at :.22- (see Figure.2) Vto receive avertically vmovable .T-section'vslide- 23 which has attached thereto, by means `of screws V24, anoperating .member `l`25. The slide 23 is retained in position within the. ro-

. cess 22y by "means of suitablyspaced .guide 'rails .26 riveted tot the frontofsthe barA I I. VAs shown more clearlyrin yFigure 3, the left-handen'dof each of the horizontal slides.I1 isiconnectedto 1 the upper-z end :ot `.the corresponding vertical'slide 23 by means of..aflengthochainllpf the; rollerl I0 Sto the left-hand .1 ends ;of

4 type. 'I'he rollers 28 (Figure 4) are engaged at opposite sides by the pairs of guide rails 2li and 26 which latter as will be appreciated, provide between them, and together with the recesses I5 ,3 and 22, T-shaped slots 29 and 33 respectively. The left-hand end of the T-shaped slot 2Q m 'ieachiyarn carrier bar"5 isextendedat 29a (see ...Figure 6) ina curve which is'concentric with respect to the axis of the fulcrum screw I5, thereby 1o ,enabling the length of chain 21 properly to peruforn'nits, function of transmitting motion from the operating member to the yarn carrier 1, ,thisiunction beingjn no-wise adversely' affected .:by movementof; the operating slide bar II about.

l5 `Vits-iulcrum='t5-#When selected for cci-operation with ,th-e, continuously reciprccable driving means ,presently-tope described. The inner face of the right-hand outside xed stop 3 on each bar 5 is recessedeat 8a (see Figure 2) to clear the corre- 20 sponding slide I1 at such times as the relevant i; yarn; carrier :plate 1,6` Ais .moved intorcontact with .thefsaidfstop AInaasimilar .waygthe'inner face fof Ithe :left-hand outside xed stop Sis recessed :at Saito'clear the chain 21.

.Thefmovable outside. stops arezindicatedv at.-3I :and32 inieachof Figures'l and2.

.Toiaensure precisepositioning of thefplates e 'and'ztheiyarn carriers1 When contactingltheir Vstops,"adjustable..dampingdevices are ttedboth to.theplatesiandto the operating membersfZ .ltoeactas'rebound checks.

Preferably, the damping devices operate 'Spy ..frictionalzicontact with .the bars'f5 and.' Il. One ,'suchicdamping fdevice isdepicted in Figures v2 and ;=`5;xas w'ill bei seen,"it comprises a leather. pad 33 :imduntedlina Aholder 34-which is mounted ina cslide-piecei35 .attached. by; screws '3S to therback :fof the plate. :Compression springs 31,'thepressure of which is variable. by screws 38, Vare inter- 4u:posed betweenthe holder 34 and. the slide-piece 1135. 5A damping devicewoperating Vby frictional contact uponthebar II is shown in Figures i2 .pand'zand'consists of'aleatherpad 39 xed'ina "holderfd whichxlatter is spigoted at` 4I into a :iLboss42xintegral with the operating member-25.

l'Acompression spring 43 is housed within the boss 242i and `arranged to exert a light pressure upon the holder 40 and, through the medium of th-e leather pad 39, upon the bar II.

'Eachof the operatingmembers 25 is'furni'shed @with a'pair of oppositely disposed yieldable dogs H14 and 45.vv These'two dogsiare mounted slidably :.intransverse slotsd and 41 formed in the back fofthe operating member` 25 and are retained in 5;? the said member partly by the bar II and partly lbya*coverfplaterll servingfalso to carry av spring y"ilvarranged' .toact upon positioning pins' 50' fixed in 't-hetail'ends'n of the Vdogs. `The`spring `4S! is mounted centrallyibetween its .ends uponfa screw :respondinef yarn' carrier bar15 by-a fulcrurnscrewfwd5i Screwed-both'nto the cover plate sv'rand'mto the' operatingmember 25. Each of the pins Sii/is flocated: in 'a'recessz52 formed inoneend of the cover plate48,1the ends of this recess limiting the movement of the correspondingv dog in eitherY di- -'15frection. Normally, of course, the dogs 44 and 45 farefheldby: the spring 49 inV their'projected-posin,tions--determined by the. inner'endsof the re- -cessesf52. The pairsY of"yieldable dogs 44 r.and '1 d5'1are vfor" cooperation selectively. with t a `corre- Tcfspondingfseries'.of'single yieldable driving elements 53 pivotallymounted: at 54Y inslots55 .inia cutbarz'dattached to a common carrier '51. Thea carrier .51 is; mounted upon 'a' verticalislide irod'58for Imovement upand down,Y adjacentlto the operating slide bars II, atthe leftrhand'side at the back of the machine.

"means of a plate 85 secured by screws 86.

portion 69h of the chain69 to which the slurof the machine. The carrier 51 is guided, during its `vertical .reciprocatory movement, by a Yguide bar 59. In this connection there are provided retaining bars 6l] and a retaining plate 6| (see Figures and 16) attached respectively to the front and the back of the carrier 51 and arranged to engage opposite sides of the guide bar 59. Each single yieldable driving element 53 is controlled by a pair of axially opposed spring-loaded plungers 62 which normally function to maintain the said element in the horizontal driving position indicated in Figures 7. 8, 9, l1, 12, 13, 14 and 16. The plungers 62 are of a greater width than the slots in which the associated yieldable driving elements 53 are pivotally mounted, so that downward movement of the upper plungers, 'effected by springs 63, is limited by contact with the top face of the cut bar 56, whilst the upper movement of the lower plungers, eiected by springs 64, is limited by contact with the L underside of the bar 56. Consequently, when? ever a yieldable driving element 53 is brought into contact with a dog 44, the said element will be deected downwardly against the action of the corresponding upper spring 63, whereas movement of the element into contact with the opposed jd'og 45` will cause the element to be deflected up- "wardly against the action of the relevant lower L- 'spring 64, the element in either event being automatically restored to its mid, i. e.lnormal horirnt'al driving, position when permitted to do so.

A The ends of the springs 63 and 64 remote from the operative portions of the plungers 62 bear upon `screwed bushes `by appropriate turning movement of which the `pressure exerted by the springs can be varied, according to requirements. The screwed bushes 65 are formed with enlarged heads 66 which are peripherally notched for `coless chain 69 mounted upon chain sprockets`1 As shown in Figure 115, the chain 69 derives its motion from an oscillatory segment gear 1|, through the medium fofa spur pinion 12 to which is attached a bevel "gear 13, and an intermeshing bevel pinion 14 in f-turn secured to the appropriate chain sprocket 10. 'Il'he oscillatory segment gear 1|, which is fulcru'rried at 15, is furnished` with spaced rollers 16 and 11 arranged to be acted upon by small andlarge edge cams 18 and 19 respectively which cams are relatively disposed in the Amanner shown and both secured by a screwl) to a spur gear 8l.

This gear is arranged in mesh with a` driving pinion 82 on the main cam shaft of the machine.

cam bracket 83 is attached extends parallel to the yarn carrier bars 5, whilst the portion 59a of the said chain to which the carrier 51 is attached extends parallel to the slide rod SBV-fand the guide bar 59. In this way accuracy ofjthe positioning of the yarn carriers 1 in relation to "the slur cam 84, in both directions of knitting,

is ensured. Referring again to the means for selectingl the operating slide bars I I to bring the corresponding operation with index plates 61 secured on the carrier 51 by screws 6B. To enable it to be vertically reciprocated the carrier 51 is secured to 4a portion 69a of a continuously reciprocable endoperating members 25 into the range of the relevant yieldable driving elements, it should be mentioned that the control drum I2` is iitted with a rack wheel 81 (see Figure 1), adapted to be racked round by conventional racking means (not shown). The drum i2 is racked to effect selection of a desired operating slide bar Il irrespective of which end of its stroke the corresponding operating member 25 has been left at a previous selection.

i Referring to Figure 8, the operating slide bar Il, a fragmentary portion of which is depicted therein, has been selected to bring the corresponding operating member 25, together with its two projected yieldable dogs 44 and 45, `into the range of the relevant yieldable driving element 53. The said element 53 is in the course of being moved upwards and is about to act on the lower dog 44. In Figure 9, the element 53 is shown in contact with the dog 44, these parts remaining in the same relative position until the appropriate portion of the plate 6 of the corresponding yarn barrier 1 comes into contact either with the movable outside stop 32 o1' the fixed outside Vstop 8, as the case may be. When this happens, the operating member 25 is arrested as a consequence of which the driving element 53 is turned downwards on its pivot 54 against the action of the i plunger 62 controlled by the spring '63 to enable it to be disengaged from the dog 44. In this connection it will be noted that to expeditedisengagement of the element 53 from the dog 44, the

` said element is fonnedwith an integral lug 53a adapted for actionfon the verticalface of the dog 44 for the purposeY of pushing the latter inwardsv against the action of the spring 49. Having been disengaged from the dog 44 and returned action of the spring 49, therebypermitting the element 53 to pass `by the dog 45, in the manner depicted in Figure 12, and complete its upward stroke. In Figure 13, the yieldable element 53 is shown in the course of making a reverse, i. e.

downward, stroke to make contact withthe dog 45 (Figure lei) and drive the operating member g 25 downwards until `the aforesaid plate 6 is brought into contact with the movable outside stop 3l `or the fixed outside stop 9. At this stage, the element 53 yields upwardly against the action of theplunger 62 controlled by the spring 64 and is disengaged from the dog 45. To expedite this disengagement, the element 53 is formed with a lug 53h adapted for engagement with the dog 45 suchWise as momentarily to depress the latter. l

What I claim then is:

1. In a straight bar knitting machine, yarn carrier driving mechanism comprising. in combination, reciprocatory yarn carriers, stops for determining the `extents to which the said yarn carriers are traversible, reciprocable operating members, spring-controlled dogs fitted in the said operating members, bars in which the operating members reciprocate, means for transmitting motion between the operating members and the yarn carriers, continuously reciprocable driving means having a constant stroke, and including yieldable elements for co-operation with the aforesaid dogs, and means for selectively moving the operating members and their bars into and out of the :range :offthesaid driving means, the yconstrucftiontand.arrangementgbeing such that whenever 7zan -operatingfrmemberiand vits bars are selected eandzbroughtcnto the range of the drivingcmeans :ithefrelevant yieldablexdriving element acts upon vthe dogs'of'the appropriate pair alternately and so :effects traverses of the corresponding yarn carrier in opposite directions and the extents of `Vwhich, are determined by arrest of the yarn-carrier by the appropriate stops at which times the fsaidr driving elementpyields Vand disengages the operating member from the-driving'means, there- .by-enabl-ingthe latter toreciprocate to the full gextent of. their` constant-stroke. y

,-2. In :a straight bar knitting `machine yarn f. carrier driving mechanism comprising, in combi- .,nation, reciprocatory yarn carriers, stops for deter'mining .theextents to which the said yarncari ,riers are ilraversible," reciprocable opera-ting'memleerse-,mounted for movement-ina path at right angles tothatin which the yarn carriers are traversiblegspring-controlled dogs fitted in the said operating-members and normally.v projectedfrom l1`the lattenunder the spring action, slides to which `.theyarn carriers are ttedfurther slides serving aftdcarrythe operating members, flexible members forfirconnecting and transmitting motion between thetwosets of slides, the said iiexible connecting members functioningfboth when pulled or pushed, 4bars-inwhich` the slides -carrying the operating `members, reciprocate, continuously lreciprocable drivingmeans having a constant stroke andincludingyieldable Aelements for co-operation with the ,aforesaid dogs,` and means for selectively movingthe. operating members and their'` slides ,and barsinto and out ofthe range of the said `:driving means, the construction and arrangement 4being such ,that .Whenever an operating lmember audits A,ban-areselectedland brought into the range of thedriving means the relevant yieldable,.driving.,element actsupon the dogs of the appropriatepair alternately and so effects trav- ,Verses ,of the Ycorresponding yarn carrier in oppol- :sitedirections andgithe extents of which are deitermined-,by arrest of the yarn carrier vby vthe appropriate stopsl at which. times the said driving element yields and disengages the operatingr member' from thedriving means, thereby enabling the latter .to reciprocate tothe' fully extentof` their constant stroke. Y 3."In a straight bar knitting machine, in com- -bination, 4a straight needlebed, yarn carriers for "supplying yarns to needles in said bed, al plurality -ofreciprocable slides to which the yarn carriers are tted, yarn carrier bars upon which the said slides are mounted for reciprocation, stops for b'determining the extents to which the yarn car- A'friers reciprocate, "further bars articulated to the -yarn' carrier bars, slides movable along the said 1 further bars, operating members attached to said last mentioned slides, a pair of spaced andoppositely directed spring-controlled dogson each op- I'erating member, Y reciprocable iiexible members for connecting the slides on the yarn carrier bars v'Wi'ththe slides on the further bars, the said ilex- I-ible connecting members being housed Within the sbars and capable of vbeing `both pulled and pushed, continuouslyV reciprocable driving means having-a Vconstant stroke and furnished with yieldably mounted elements for co-operation with 4thepairs of spring-controlled dogs on the operating, members, and means for selectively moving "the aforesaid further bars so as to bring desired operating members Vinto and out of the range of .the driving means, whereby, Whenever eithen` dogg oniafselected operating member is actedxupon by -ia a-yieldable-felementfV included in :the zdriving means, traverse of the -corresponding yarn l-caririeris effecteduntil-.arrested by thegappropriate stop; at -\.which time` thei said operating fimember is automatically disengaged from Vthe `:driving means thereby enabling the latter to reciprocate :to-the fulhextent of their constant stroke.

--4. Inra straight bar knitting machine, incom- A-bination a horizontally disposed. straight needle bed, -yarn ycarriers fon supplying yarns to: needles Vin said.;` bed, a plurality ofreciprocable'slidesto .which the yarn-carriers are tted, yarn carrier :bars'disposed parallel tothe straight needle.bed

trol'ledy ,dogs *on` each Voperating member, which dogs are-normally projected from the operating member under the spring action, Areciproci-Linie flexible members for connecting Vthe k slides gon the yarn-icarrier bars .with the slides ,on the-ver tical bars-.the said flexible membersl beingfhoused Within the bars and capable of .being both,` pulled Yand pushed, continuously reciprocable Ydriving vmeanshavinga constant stroke and furnished withD yieldably mounted-elements for ,cogeneration with the pairs' ofspring-controlled',dogSlon theoperating members, and means for selectively moving the vertical barsso as to bringedesiredoperating members into Aand out Aofthe rangeoi-the. driving means, the constructionwand arrangement .beingsuch that-whenfan operating Y -membertogether with its slideY and'vertical .car-

r-ier `bar yare selected., `to bring the saidA operating .memberinto the rangeof the driving means, the

corresponding yieldable driving element will rst act von one of the appropriatepair of-dogs-to move the operating member in one direction un- .tillthe corresponding'yarn carrier Vcontacts the appropriate stop and arrests the operating member whereupon the. said element `willyieldrand pass the engaged dog, continue itsmovement-and vdepress and idly pass by the other dogfand then, uponA thenext; stroke, of.,the driving,me ans,.,wil1 act on thefpre'viously depressedk dog to move the operatingmember inthe reverse vdirectionfagain `.until .arrested by reason Aof the vaforesaid yarn carrier contactinganotherstop `at the opposite endtofrits traverse, Aat Whichtime Vthe driving element again yields to enable it to pass the last mentioned rdogar1d in ycontinuing itsA stroke, l.de-

presses and Vpasses the rstmentioned dog.

5. VYarn carrier driving` mechanismaccording vto claimfZ, .wherein the iiexible connecting ,members,A consist of, lengths of chain.

.6. In a straight bar knitting machine, in comvbination, a horizontally disposedl straight needle bed, yarn carriers for supplyingr yarns to needles in said bed, a plurality of reciprocable slidesto which the yarn carriers are tted, yarn carrier bars'disposed parallel to the straight` need1ebed and uponwhich the said slidesare mounted for reciprocation, the said bars including guide-rails so spaced as to provide slots betvveenthem, stops crumed to the yarn carrier bars and aredisposed. vertically, these vertical lbars also including vr ,guide, rails spaced ,toA provide slots. `slides movable up and down the vertical bars, operating members attached to said last mentioned slides, a pair of spaced and oppositely directed springcontrolled dogs on each operating member which dogs are normally projected from the operating member,` lengths of chain of the roller type for connecting the slides on `the yarn carrier bars with the slides on the vertical bars,` the rollers of the chain being engaged at opposite sides by the guide rails, continuously reciprocable driving means having a constant stroke and furnished with yieldably mounted elements for co-operation with the pairs of spring-controlledl dogs on the operating members, `and means for selectively moving the aforesaid further .bars so as to bring desired operating members into` and out ofthe range of the driving means, whereby, whenever either dog on a selected operating member `is acted upon by a yieldable, element included in the driving means, traverse ol' the corresponding yarn carrier is effected until arrested by the appropriate stop at which time the said operating member is automatically disengaged from the driving means thereby` enabling the latter to reciprocate to the full extent of their constantstroke.

7. A combination according to `claim 6, wherein the portions of the Vsaid slots adjoining the fulcrum points of the vertical bars are concentric with respect to the said points, thereby enabling the lengths of chain properly to perform their function of transmitting motion from the operating members to the yarn carriers, this function not being adversely affected by movements of the operating slide bars about their fulcrums when selected to bring about co-opera tion of the corresponding operating members withthe driving means.

3. In a straight bar knitting machine, in combination, a straight needle bed, yarn carriers for supplying yarns to needles in said bed, a plural-4 ity of reciprocable slides to which the yarn carriers are fitted, yarn carrier bars upon which the said slides are mounted for reciprocation, stopsA for determining the extents to which the yarn carriers reciprocate, further bars articulated to the yarn carrier bars, yslides movable along the said further bars, operating members attached to Y said last mentioned slides, a pair of spaced and oppositely directed spring-controlled dogs on each operating member, reciprocable ilexible members for connecting the slides on the yarn carrier bars with the slides on the further bars. the said ilexible connecting members being housed within the bars and capable of being both pulled and pushed, continuously reciprocable driving means having a constant stroke and furnished with yieldably mounted elements for cooperation with the pairs of spring-controlled dogs on the operating members, means for selectively moving the aforesaid further bars so as to bring desired operating members into and out of the range of the driving means, whereby, `whenever i either dog on aY selected l*operating member is acted upon by a yieldable element included in the Vdriving means, traverse of the corresponding yarn carrier is effected until arrested by the appropriate stop' at which time the said operating member is automatically disengaged from the.

driving means thereby enabling the latter to reciprocate to the full extent of their constant stroke, and adjustable damping devices which` are fitted both tothe yarn carriers and to the op erating members to act as rebound checks for the purpose `of ensuring precise positioning of the yarn carriers when contacting their stops.

`and down the vertical bars, operating members attached to said last mentioned slides, a pair of spaced and oppositely directed spring-controlled dogs `on each operating member, which dogs are normally projected from the operating member under the spring action, reciprocable flexible members for connecting the slides on the` yarn carrier bars with the slides on `the vertical bars, the said flexible` members being housed within the bars and capable of being both pulled and pushed, continuously reciprocable driving means having a constant stroke and furnished with yieldably mounted elements for cooperation with the pairs of spring-controlled dogs on the operating members, a main control drum having studs thereon, a series of selector levers, one to each vertical bar, adapted for engagementby studs on the drum, and links serving to connect the said levers directly to the vertical bars, the construction and arrangement being such that Whenever an operating member and its slide and vertical carrier bar are selected and brought into the range of the driving means the relevant yieldable driving element acts upon the dogs of the appropriate pair alternately. and so effects which end of its stroke the corresponding operating member has been left at a previous selection.

11. Ina straight bar knitting machine, in combination, a horizontally disposed straight needle bed, yarn carriers for supplying yarnsto needles in said bed, a plurality of reciprocable slides'to which the yarn carriers are tted, yarn carrier bars disposed parallel to the straight needle bed and upon which the said slides are mounted for reciprocation, stops Vfor determining the extents to which the yarn carriers reciprocate, further bars which are fulcrumed tothe yarn carrier bars and are disposed vertically,` slides movableV up and down the vertical bars, operating members attached to said lastmentioned slides, a

pair of spaced and` oppositely directed spring controlled dogs on each operating member, which dogs are normally projected from the operating member under the `spring action, reciprocable exible members for connecting the slides on the yarn carrier bars with the slides on the vertical bars, the said flexible members being housed within the bars and capable of being both pulled and pushed, continuously reciprocable `driving means having a constant stroke and furnished with yieldably mounted elements `for cooperation with the pairs of spring-controlled dogs on the operating members,y thelsaid driving means being embodied ina unit includinga: carrier; a" driving chain to which the said carrier is at tached,v an oscillatory gear for` reciprocatingthe chain, means for. guiding 'the carrier during movements thereof up and vvdown .atone side of thev machine, and means:for selectively moving the vertical bars so asto bring desiredoperating` members into and out of thefrange of thedriving means, the construction andarrangement being such that Whenan operating member together withuits slide and verticaly carrier bar are selected to bring the said. operating member into the `range of the-driving means, the correspondingyieldable drivingelement will first act on -one of `the-appropriate. pair of dogs to move-the op'- erating memberA in onedirection until thecor'- Vresponding yarn carrier :contacts the appropriate. stopandarrests theoperating member where. upon' the said element will yield andpass the Yen-A gaged. dog, continue its movement and. depress and idly passt-bythe other dog; and,then,lupon"z the next stroke of the driving. means,l Wi11.act

on." the previously depresseddog to move the .op-'1 Y erating. member in the reverse directionr again until .arrested by reasonfofxtheiaforesaid yarn-J: carrier contacting another stop at the opposite..

endlofits traverse, at which-.time the driving ele ment x again `yields, to.v enable it toi pass r the .last

mentioned dog.- and, in continuing its stroke,l de-i presses and passesifthel first mentioned dog 12. .A combination according. to. claim. 11,

whereinthe chain is of endless-form and.` in adi dition to. driving'the carrier. furnished with the. yieldablefdriving elements, is ittedwith `a .braak-'f etsupporting the slur-.camvofsthe machine.`

13; In'astraight barlknitting machine, in com2- bination.,a;.;horizontally disposed straight needle bed, yarnfcarriersz for supplying yarns .toneedlesf` insaidl bed, afplurality of reciprocable slides to. which. the yarn vcarriers arefitted; yarn carrier: bars :disposed :parallel .to the straight 'needle .bed-.1 and. upcnlzwhichthe said slides: are mounted for'- reciprocation, stops for`determining theex-tents.

toewhich the. yarn carriers reciprocate further bars yWhichuare fulcrumed.. to Lthei. yarn. carrier bars fand.: are 'L disposedvertically,- slides movablev upland .1 down.' thevertical lbars,. operating members attached to said.last mentioned-`slicles, a pair of spaced and oppositely directed spring-controlled idogs.. on each operating member, .which with' 4yieldably mountedelements for co-opera.:

tion.:.With .the rpairs` of spring-hcontrolled dogs ..on;. the operating: members,..the :said driving means .-1 beingembodiedinva. unit including a carri'er,'..a-` drivingchain .of endlesszform to. which. the v.said I carrieris attachedr an oscillatory gearrfor: re

ciprocating the said chain, means forguiding, the carrierduring movements thereof up f and ,Y

downfat oneside of the machine,psprockets,for

guiding. the i chain so that a portion thereof ex tends'. parallel .to the yarn carrier bars whilst the: portion to -which thecarrier isattached extendsv parallel .to` theguiding means for the carrier,a. bracket attachedto the portion of the chain eX- tending-parallel to the yarn carrier bars, a vslur cam fixed to. the said .l bracket, and .means for I2 selectively movingzthefvertical .bars .so as tozbrng desired .operating members intoA and. Loutof the-f range of theldrivingxn'ean's,- the construction: and: arrangementzbeingisu'ch .that when anA operating?- member `togetherrvvithlits `slideand vertical careA rier bar rare selected. to: bring :the said. operating; member into the-range'` ofVT thedriving means;V the .corresponding '.yildable: driving element will' first act'l'on .one-fof. the.. appropriate pair ofdogsif to move'the-operating.memberfin one direction.'v

until the .corresponding` yarn. carrier 'contacts ther appropriatestopxand arrests. the' operating member "whereupoirthe saidfelement Will .yield and pass the engaged {dog} continue its movement and.- depress and idly pass by 'the other dog,V andsthen,"v upon the: next stroke of "ther driving means,` will. act on the previouslyedepressed dog tomovesthe operating' member in the reverse direction", agair.. until arrested `by f reason of the aforesaidi yarn' carrier vcontacting another r stop" at the .opposite end Lof its traverse; at which' timethe'fdriving' element .againfyields rto.enab1e`.it1to pass the -last mentioneddog and,l in vcontinuing its stroke, de; presses lan'd-v passes the: rstmentionedfdog.

14. Inl a straight-bar knittingmachine, in combination,. a v horizontally disposedV straight needle bed, yarn carriers fonsupplying yarnsto needles?. in said bed, a plurality'- of reciprocableslides .tof which; the yarn `carriersareA fitted, yarnica'rrierJ bars disposed parallel to theastraightneedle fbedi and upon: which* the said. slides aremounte'dzforl. reciprocationv, stops .fori determining. ithe ,extentsl to' wh-ichcthe yarn' carriersueciprocate, further: bars which are .fulcrumed` to vthe yarn carriera' bars fandare disposed vertically, slides. movable i up--and down the-vertical. bars; operating `members attached to said last mentionedslides; alpairf ofV spaced. and .1 oppositelyv directed springecontrolle'd dogs on each-operating. member, which.

Y dogs `are normally projectedlfromxthe :operatingfl member 'under the springt.' action',A reciprocable'lr flexible members for-connecting theislideson the'. yarn Acarrier bars '.vvithvthe'.slidesv on .-thelivertic'alrv bars',v thes said flexible.. membersbeing-i; housed i.

Within the-"bars and' capable. of vbeingLloothpulled:4

and pushed,v a driving chain, sprockets.forguide ing they said chainf an: oscillatory'fgearfori cortitinuously Y reciprocating thegchainfai bracket at-A tached Vto the chain, afslotted member supportedll byv the' bracket; yieldablefdriving elements '-which; are l'pivotally' mounted. in lslots' :in the. saidzmem--i ber and are'formed-With tails, the said yield@` able elements. beingfadapted .for cooperation: '.withi. the-'pairs S1 ofi springcontrol-ledi dogsaion ithefrops eratin'g-f: members;` springeloadeda; plungers arer4 ranged. i to '.act1f-upon.; oppositesides zoff: the tailssr of the :yieldableelements:fortthe purpose .of nor-z`^ mally holding the slatterrnxa-v mid: positionaandf: means fors. selectively: moving; theffvertical bars yso .i as :.to. bringv desired( .operatingfrmembers :finto:

and. out .of .thea-range ofthe',-drivingsmeans` the.; construction'y anch1 arrangement .beings such: that When an operatingfmember .togetheriwith Aits slide'.- and vertical 'carrier .barrarefselected. .to.bring the:

-saidoperatingmember into the rangepf .theIdriv-- ingl means, the corresponding v, yieldablew driving.V elementzwillv first 4act on one :of thef-=appropriater pair of dogs to. move rthe operating:. member. 'iny one 'direction' until.. the corresponding .yarn-car.-y Arier .contacts the appropriate stop. and .arrests the:

operating member whereuponl the said. element will yield and .pass` the engaged dog, continueits movement anddepressand idlypass `bythe other; dog,y and then, .upon the `nextstroke of the.drivving means,` .will act kon the. previously. depressed 2,580,603 13 14 dog to move the operating member in the reverse REFERENCES CITED direction again until arrested by reason 0f the The following references are of record in the aforesaid yarn carrier contacting another stop me of this patent: at the opposite end of its traverse, at which time the driving element again yields to enable it to 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS pass the last mentioned dog and, in continuing Number Name Date tioned dog, 2,032,070 Welch May 21, 1935 2,006,694 Howie Juy 2, 1936 ALFRED PERCY SAUNDERS. 10 2,353,973 Shortlandv July 18, 1944 

